Free Mental Health First Aid training for Region 10 providers held over two days. Offered in partnership with Oregon State University's Coast to Forest project. Coast to Forest is led by OSU’s College of Health and is funded by USDA and SAMHSA grants.
It’s easy to tell when someone is having a heart attack, is choking or can’t breathe. But what does depression look like? Anxiety? Would you know how to respond if someone says they are considering suicide?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based program that will increase our knowledge and understanding about mental health problems in order to help us recognize symptoms and reduce stigma. Participants will learn about:
Breann Vandenberg works with the Oregon State University Extension Service based in Lake County, OR. She is an alumnus of the University of Idaho and holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Animal Science-Physiology. Breann has worked in all facets of animal agriculture and pharmaceutical research, as well as youth programming while providing leadership for the 4-H Youth Development Program in Lake County. In response to community need, in 2020 Breann jumped aboard the Coast to Forest team with Oregon State University, focusing efforts in Mental Health response, building awareness and improving community capacity, and reducing stigma to Mental Health and Substance Use challenge. In addition to her family’s beef operation and county 4-H appointment, she delivers trainings such as Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Question Persuade Refer, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) to Pacific Northwest communities.
Araceli Mendez is a Program Coordinator with the OSU Center for Health Innovation and a certified Community Health Worker (CHW). She became a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer to help communities recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use. She believes that through increased awareness and training regarding mental health and substance use we can each help reduce stigma and connect people with resources and support in our communities. Araceli was especially interested in making this possible for and reaching the Spanish-speaking communities and became a certified instructor to teach MHFA in Spanish. The hope is that more non-English speaking communities will have the tools needed to address mental health challenges.
